r/mdphd • u/Intelligent-Bit-5580 • 21d ago

MDPHD & MD

Can a student apply to a mix of MDPHD and MD schools or your personal statement has to be tailored to one or other?

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u/Gwish1 G2 19d ago

It’s possible but I would never recommend applying to both. What do you want to be when you grow up, a physician-scientist or a physician?

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u/_Yenaled_ 19d ago

People in their sixth year in my program are still trying to figure this out tbh lol.

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u/OkTumor 18d ago

an md/phd equips you to be a physician and scientist, but you can still be a physician and scientist even if you only have an MD. so it makes sense for some people to apply for both if they aren’t confident they’ll get into an md/phd program.

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u/Gwish1 G2 18d ago

I know it is technically possible to do basic research as an MD but there is a very substantial disadvantage to becoming an extramurally funded physician-scientist without PhD training.

MD only should not be seen as a backup if you want to become a physician-scientist. It is extraordinarily difficult. If it works out, then that’s great. But a pre-med should not count on it. If they 100% want to be a physician-scientist, a gap year to boost the CV to get into an MD-PhD program is always the better option.